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Ott Tanak wins Rally Finland to give Hyundai Motorsport maiden victory

Toyota has dominated the World Rally Championship (WRC) news this year with victory after victory, so it was refreshing to have a different brand celebrating its win on the podium. Ott Tanak secured Secto Rally Finland victory to give Hyundai Motorsport its first ever triumph in the event with a perfect drive.

The Estonian driver led from the second stage of the rally to finish the 4-day gravel road fixture 6.8 seconds ahead of Toyota GR Yaris rival, Kalle Rovanpera. Though enjoying a lead, Tanak did not have it easy in his Hyundai i20 N but was still able to produce top times throughout, thanks to hard grit and determination.

At the opening stage of the Rally Finland, Rovanpera had been slow to move forward but then went on to win 5 stages the next day, climbing from fourth to second overall. He ended the penultimate day just 8.4 seconds behind after managing to narrow the gap despite the unpredictable conditions.

Dry conditions ensured further fast-paced action for closing leg, but Tanak was clearly not willing to lose his leading position. He gave just 1.8 second away to his rival over the 4 speed tests, and Rovanpera virtually resigned himself from a maiden home WRC victory.

With a strong collection of points in the bag, the 21-year was unwilling to take any unnecessary risks. Even without winning this round, he has extended his championship lead to 94 points after 8 rounds (with another 5 to go). Meanwhile, the Toyota GAZOO Racing team has a gap of 88 points in the lead in the Manufacturers’ standings with all three Yaris hybrid rallycars in the top four.

WRC2
Finishing eighth overall, Teemu Suninen finished the event with what was to be his first WRC2 victory of the season. However, it was not to be as he was disqualified due to this i20 N Rally2 car being underweight.

In post-event scrutineering, the weight of the front bumper was recorded as 3,931 gms – below the minimum allowed weight of 4,510 gms required to comply with homologation.

The team did not dispute the finding and explained that the front bumper was not an original part produced by Hyundai Motorsport but a copy. It has been used as a replacement for the original bumper during testing and was fitted to Suninen’s car wrongly.

Suninen’s disqualification meant that Skoda Fabia Rally2 driver Emil Lindholm, who finished 7.7 seconds behind in the rally in a Fabia Evo, received the maximum points as category winner.

WRC3
In the WRC3 category, Lauri Joona outran his rivals to secure a convincing victory in his home round. The FIA Junior WRC regular won all but 1 stage across the weekend in the all-Ford Fiesta Rally 3 category despite experiencing steering issues on both Friday and Saturday.

Already having a comfortable lead over second-placed Jan Cerny into Sunday, Joona did not let up his relentless push and took a clean sweep on all 4 of the final leg’s speed tests. His win moved him within a single point of championship leader Sami Pajari, who was contesting the WRC2 category.

After Rally Finland, the WRC returns to asphalt in less than 2 weeks when Belgium is again a WRC host country with Ypres Rally Belgium to take place on August 18 – 21.

Hybrid power for new era of World Rally Championship starts this year

More Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks in use in Europe

Even before full electrification with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has gone mainstream in global markets, some manufacturers are already moving ahead with fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Hyundai Motor was among the first with production FCEV passenger models and is steadily growing its hydrogen fuel cell commercial trucks with the XCIENT Fuel Cell model.

Fuel cell (FC) technology is particularly well-suited to commercial shipping and logistics due to long ranges and short refueling times. The dual-mounted fuel cell system provides enough energy to drive the heavy-duty trucks up and down regions with mountainous terrain.

“XCIENT Fuel Cell is a present-day reality, not as a mere future drawing board project. By putting this groundbreaking vehicle on the road now, Hyundai marks a significant milestone in the history of commercial vehicles and the development of hydrogen society,” said In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice-President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor. “Building a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem, where critical transportation needs are met by vehicles like XCIENT Fuel Cell, will lead to a paradigm shift that removes automobile emissions from the environmental equation.”

Joint venture in Switzerland
The XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks, manufactured in Korea, are marketed a joint venture company which has Swiss company H2 Energy as a partner. The joint-venture company, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), offers the XCIENT Fuel Cell in a leasing deal which includes all costs, from import to technical support to the availability of green hydrogen. The big advantage is that there are no initial costs for the end customer.

Hyundai chose Switzerland as the starting point for its business venture for various reasons. One of the reasons is that zero-emission trucks do not have to pay Swiss roadtax charges. This nearly equalizes the hauling costs per kilometre of the FC truck compared to a regular diesel truck.

400 kms of range
The XCIENT Fuel Cell, the hydrogen FC version of its Xcient truck, is equipped with a 180-kW hydrogen FC system incorporating two 90-kW fuel cell stacks. With a 350-kW e-motor, the vehicle is claimed to be able to travel 400 kms on a full tank and requires only 8 to 20 minutes to fill up. Seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of around 32.09 kgs of hydrogen.

To date, Hyundai has exported XCIENT FC trucks to Switzerland, where it has 23 corporate fleet clients, and more recently, to Germany where 27 units will be used by 7 companies in the logistics and manufacturing sectors.

(more…)

Ford customises Explorer design just for China

The new vehicle market in China is the biggest in the world, having overtaken the US market in 2009. Last year, around 26.3 million new vehicles were sold, about 15 million more than the US volume. Every manufacturer would like to sell in China as even a small share of the market still means big volumes. However, apart from its own regulations, the China market also has some specific requirements which need to be met if a model is to appeal to the consumers and sell well.

And because of the potential volumes, foreign manufacturers are willing to develop models or alter existing models to meet the tastes of the Chinese customer. These tastes extend to styling and also size, with extended wheelbases being favoured.

One example is the Ford Explorer SUV which was recently unveiled in China. The model, an extremely popular SUV in America, has been sold in China since 2012 and for the latest generation, Ford has given it an appearance and features that are specifically for the market.

Designed in China for China
The Explorer for China was developed in China, at Ford’s design centre in Shanghai. The company’s sixth global design studio, the China Design Centre is a state-of-the-art facility that also encompasses a full showroom and in-house clay workshop.

The design team is a fusion of east and west, with 75% of the staff being local but maintaining close connections to the design teams globally. With their international outlook and local insights, this diverse group was given the task of designing the model for the Chinese market.

“Being the first time the Explorer was designed outside of North America, it was important that it continues its successful heritage of pioneering innovation and adventure whilst being modernized for the progressive China market,” said Simon Brook, Chief Designer of Ford China Design Centre. Elaborating on further differences when it comes to design, he said: “We know our Chinese customers value a high degree of sophistication, luxury and premium refinement, from exterior to interior.”

The process began with the creation of hundreds of detailed sketches to define the thematic direction. These themes were then narrowed down to strong proposals that ran from luxury to progressive to bold, to ensure that the optimum balance was achieved in the sense of strength and luxury while staying true to the Explorer heritage. High-tech solutions such as Virtual Reality and digital review tools were used to evaluate the themes from the sketch phase before committing and identifying the core design directions.

Ford’s China Design Language
Brook defines the ‘Progressive energy in strength’ mantra as being ‘all about taking Ford design heritage and that trust, and then innovating, and taking us somewhere new’. The Explorer design fully integrates the design DNA of the Explorer and combines it with modern Chinese aesthetics.

The frontal appearance of the Explorer for China (above) is significantly different from the version sold in the USA and other markets (below).

The key visual signatures of the Explorer heritage – such as the connected grille to lamps, C-clamp rear lighting signature and an open and expansive cabin – are all retained in the latest Explorer. The luxury yacht inspiration can be found throughout the exterior design. The new 21-inch Turbine fan wheels spin like a ship’s propeller, the iconic C-pillar graphic echoes the mast of a luxury sailboat, while the front end captures the essence of a ship’s bow as it breaks through the waves.

With the luxury-yacht feel retained and established, the key to the new Explorer’s design innovations for the Chinese market were to be found by leveraging the ‘Progressive Energy in Strength’ Chinese design DNA to capture three main principles: Agile, Responsive, Commanding.

High-tech interior
The philosophy behind the main interior elements is based on three fundamental aesthetic principles: clarity in build, harmony within composition and detailed craftsmanship. Aside from the overall proportion and form language, Chinese customers pay close attention to the mastery of craftsmanship and are more willing to embrace new, advanced technologies.

*Explorer for China has a very wide display screen in the middle, whereas the US version (below) has the portrait-oriented screen that is also found in the new Ranger and Mach-E.*

The overall interior architecture and prominent 27-inch touchscreen both reflect the commanding presence of the exterior, giving the Explorer a ‘Masculine Presence’ while ensuring it lives up to the ‘Tech Enhanced’ demands for well-integrated high technology. That’s further heightened through the newly designed instrument panel and centre console with its strong horizontal emphasis.

Time spent within the vehicle and the overall driving experience were considerations that remained at the forefront throughout the design process, with ‘customer voices’ prominently declaring comfort to be equally as important as safety and reliability. Driving an Explorer had to remain a rewarding experience, which necessitated finding a balance between comfort and technology. This was achieved via the harmonious integration of the technology itself and its intuitive usages, combining them with experiences that stimulate the senses.

New seating
In order to improve physical comfort, and place an emphasis on ‘Premium Quality and Solidity’, Ford’s designers came up with new seating with wider seat dimensions and fuller side bolsters to enable an optimally comfortable seating posture.

A standout feature is the unique China seat material and patterns designed in cooperation with Eagle Ottawa. Via the application of high-definition technology, the design team was able to express extremely fine detailing and new innovative patterns that would not have been possible using traditional quilting techniques, resulting in a design that is immaculate in its precision without sacrificing functionality.

As expressed through the interior colour scheme, the premium brown and black theme represents a confident presence by projecting an image of strength and sophisticated adventure, while the ruby and black theme represents an exquisite premium expression combining a commanding quality suffused with elegance and a premium feel through the accent colours and selected finishes.

From Model TT to Ranger – the story of Ford trucks

Counterfeit parts industry growing globally

Motorists are always urged to use genuine or original parts for their vehicles as the consequences of using fake parts can be fatal. Fake or counterfeit parts are typically made of poorer materials with processes that may also be inferior, which is why they cost much less. Such parts may not last as long as genuine parts at best – and could even break up or fail, causing an accident or severe damage to the engine or other parts of the car.

While there are also replacements parts for many models which are not original parts (ie with the carmaker’s branding and packaging), these are not fake. They are made by other companies and while they may or may not have similar quality and performance standards as original parts, they nevertheless would still meet certain basic standards and would be safe to use.

Counterfeit parts are parts which come in packaging that is identical to the original item, in order to mislead the customers. They would not be sold by authorised parts dealers but are still available in the open market. In recent times, there has also been a growing trade online which worries carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz.

During the pandemic over the past 2 years, sellers of counterfeit parts increasingly used online platforms and social media channels to offer their fake goods. This may have contributed to the significant increase of 6% compared to the previous year (2020) where in 2021 alone, more than 1.86 million counterfeit products were seized in over 650 raids initiated by the German carmaker.

It requires much more effort for brand protection experts to research the online trade in counterfeit products. Counterfeit goods can be placed on online platforms at very short notice and sold with the support of social media. For this reason, Mercedes-Benz has further expanded its strategic and operational measures against counterfeiting in online trading.

It is not easy to know a part is not genuine just by looks. In the picture above, both wheels look similar but the one on the right is fake and stress testing showed it to be weaker. The brake pads pictured below look identical but the one of the left is actually a fake and likely to have poor stopping performance which could result in an accident.

The brand protection strategy comprises three pillars: Detect, attack and prevent. Mercedes-Benz has brand protection experts who can identify counterfeiters by checking suspicious offers on online platforms and social media or trade fairs worldwide. The monitoring focusses on components such as brake discs, wheels and body and steering parts, and rigorous action is taken when possible.

“The trading in counterfeit products on online platforms and social media is further increasing. Our brand protection experts have quickly adapted to the counterfeiting industry’s growing business model. In 2021, more than 126,000 counterfeit products were removed from online platforms,” said Renata Jungo Brungger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Integrity & Legal Affairs.

“The counterfeiting industry has organised crime structures and often generates higher profits than drug trafficking. We are working closely with authorities around the world in order to curtail these structures and combat threats to road safety,” she added. “Counterfeit products are not only illegal, they are also relevant to safety and can endanger the health of road-users.”

In many cases, organised counterfeiters have their goods produced under inhumane conditions with no regard for human rights, environmental standards and occupational safety. The global Mercedes-Benz Intellectual Property Enforcement team works closely with customs and law enforcement authorities in various countries. In addition, it regularly offers training events and information material for the preventive raising of awareness among different target groups.

Recalling a case in 2021, Lita Silje Janisch, Head of the Global IP Enforcement department at Mercedes-Benz Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG, said that the driver of a Mercedes-Benz car was travelling at about 130 km/h when unexpectedly, the bonnet popped open and smashed the windscreen. Fortunately, nobody was injured when this happened.

*Fake brake pads are likely to have poorer performance and can mean the difference between stopping safely and having a collision.*

“Upon investigation, our colleagues discovered that the driver had replaced the genuine grille with a counterfeit one ordered on the internet. It was technically faulty manufactured, and prevented the bonnet lock lever from engaging properly when closing. This shows that even more ‘decorative’ vehicle parts can be safety-relevant and you have to be very careful when replacing original parts,” she warned.

Customers and road-users can also support the prevention of product counterfeiting in their daily lives and check unusual offers very carefully. Typical indicators of counterfeit products are an extremely low price, questionable product quality, or sale via dubious online sources. It is often even possible to see from the product images or designations that the parts cannot be genuine, since Mercedes-Benz simply doesn’t manufacture such items!

*It’s best to buy from authorised dealers or parts stockists when replacement parts are needed.*

“It’s not always easy to spot a fake at first glance. However, there are signs that may indicate counterfeiting. In the case of an online shop, one of these may be that the seller offers a conspicuously large number of different brands, or that the prices are unusually low. One should always be wary of apparent bargains on the internet or on parts forums,” Mrs. Janisch advises.

Mercedes-Benz to have regional After-Sales Logistics Centre in Malaysia from 2024

Bentley Bacalar by Mulliner project nears completion

The Bentley Bacalar by Mulliner was unveiled in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to sweep across the world. Though a model of significance, it was overshadowed by global affairs that included shutdowns of industries and businesses in many countries. Nevertheless, when introduced, it already found customers for all 12 units to be built.

This exceptionally rare car is appropriately named after Laguna Bacalar in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, a lake renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, continuing Bentley’s strategy of naming cars after remarkable landmarks which started with Bentayga in 2015.

Pinnacle bespoke project
The Bacalar represents the first in a new series of pinnacle bespoke projects that have spearheaded a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner – the oldest coachbuilder in the world. Eight units have been delivered to customers, with four more to soon be finished. Once their work is finished, the Mulliner team to focus attention towards their next project, which the carmaker says will be revealed soon.

The Bacalar also launched a new Bentley Mulliner operation, part of a new strategy that will see the division offer three different portfolios: Classic, Collections and Coachbuilt.

6 months of work
With the level of handcraftsmanship, each car has taken around 6 months to complete. Needless to say, each one is unique in more than just the colour as each customer has chosen from a myriad of options and materials. For the Bacalar, Bentley Mulliner revived its specialism in providing rare coachbuilt cars to discerning customers.

A roofless Barchetta design with all-new and highly muscular coachwork, the Bacalar has a carbonfibre bodyshell. The car sits on unique 22-inch Tri-Finish wheels, with polished faces, dark grey satin spokes and accent highlights to complement the exterior.

“Designing a Bacalar is an exercise in imagination, with the material, colour and finish of practically every interior and exterior surface being bespoke. Regardless of personal style, whether it be specifying a bold Yellow Flame exterior paint synthesised with rice husk ash, or a more subtle Moss Green that reflects Bentley’s heritage, developing personalised artisan piping, or co-creating a unique fabric blend, the Bacalar has provided all of these opportunities,” said Maria Mulder, Head of Colour, Materials and Finishes.

6-litre 12-cylinder engine
The Bacalar is powered by an enhanced version of Bentley’s 6.0-litre, W12 TSI engine. Claimed to be the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world, it produces 659 ps/900 Nm. An advanced Active All-Wheel-Drive System varies the torque split between front and rear wheels. It allows the Bacalar to use rear-wheel drive as much as possible during normal driving for optimum efficiency and dynamic performance.

Uniquely designed details and features in the cabin emphasise the coachbuilt character of the car, with an almost infinite number of ways for the 12 customers to express their personal taste and commission a unique interior. From the use of precious inlays and unique finishes to the driver controls, to the 148,199 individual stitches needed to embroider the unique Bacalar quilt on each seat, owners will find details and components not seen before on a Bentley.

Displayed at Goodwood Festival of Speed
One of the finished Bacalars was shown off at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in England where it was also handed over to its new owner. The car was finished in bespoke Sunset Orange, with customised tri-colour wheels and gloss black highlights providing a bold contrast to the vibrant exterior.

The centres of the headlamps were colour-matched to the Sunset Orange bodywork, either side of a set of gloss black grilles and surrounds. The bonnet vents provided a textural difference being finished in satin carbonfibre, as were the wing mirrors. Satin carbonfibre also gave additional definition to the ‘power humps’ behind the front seats – accented with Sunset Orange brightware – along with the side skirts and rear diffuser, complemented by exhaust finishers with gloss black outers and matte black inners.

The customer chose a white and black cabin with Mandarin Orange accents, creating a striking contemporary interior theme. A satin carbonfibre technical finish encapsulates the occupants, sweeping from one side of the cabin to the other, matching the exterior technical details harmoniously. Every panel and detail of the interior was specified to the customer, through careful combinations of leather and Alcantara in white, black and orange, gloss and satin metals in black, dark tint and bright chrome finishes, and the twin usage of both gloss and satin carbonfibre.

Mandarin Orange leather accentuates the form of the top roll, the centreline in the steering wheel and both the door release and gear lever. This continues with further stitching details to the rear of the seats within the oval perforated Beluga piping and hand cross stitching along the door following the styling line around to the centre console.

Other fine details include the analogue clock faces of the Bentley Rotating Display provide a splash of contrast in Bacalar Blue. The carpets feature a ‘diamond carved’ pattern, with binding and stitching in Mandarin Orange, while the split line between satin carbonfibre and gloss black in the luggage area – usually unseen and hidden by luggage – was specified to be in satin dark tint.

For each customer, personalising the Bacalar was ‘a voyage of discovery’, and this too applies to other models which are configurable in literally billions of ways. The process of designing a Mulliner goes even further – with infinite combinations of materials, colours and finishes. The only limitations are vehicle construction laws and the imagination of the customer… the cost is unlikely to be a concern.

The Airline Seat Specification in the Bentley Bentayga EWB

MazdaSports Academy resumes Advanced Driving courses

After a period of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MazdaSports Academy is revving up again to show Mazda owners the potential of their cars, and teach them safer and more enjoyable driving. The academy was established in 2018 by Bermaz Motor, the distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia.

The syllabus has been developed by the Bermaz MazdaSports division (formed in 2016), which handles vehicle development, parts and accessories development as well as experience programs for customers.

While there are various training modules, the coming course for Mazda owners will focus on advanced driving. Participants will be shown the potential of their cars (and SUVs), especially how jinba-ittai can help them to be better drivers and enjoy driving. Jinba-ittai is a Japanese term that refers to the unity between a ride and his horse, enabling movements with precision and confidence. This quality is a key feature of every Mazda model.

While some other advanced driving courses provide vehicles for participants, the Mazda one requires them to use their own vehicles. This is actually better as they will be familiar with the vehicle, and they will also be using what they learn on the vehicle they have trained in.

Generally, most people who attend advanced driving courses feel that they do benefit from what they are taught. Some of it may seem boring – like seating position and how to hold the steering wheel – but these are important fundamentals that must become second nature. They can make crucial differences to how well the car is handled and how effectively a driver can respond to an emergency situation.

Mazda’s SKYACTIV vehicle technologies – like G-Vectoring Control (GVC) – contribute to better dynamic performance but many owners may not fully appreciate how this helps them when driving. At the course, they will be able to gain better understanding of this innovative technology that improves chassis performance by controlling the engine output. Since 2016, GVC has been improved and GVC Plus, available in some of the newer models, enhances vehicle smoothness and handling during cornering.

Such advanced courses also enable participants to experience things like skids and slides in a safe and controlled environment. Apart from knowing what these conditions feel like, they are also taught how to recover from them or to control the car on wet and slippery surfaces.

We’re not sure if this course will have it but usually, there will be a competition (like a slalom) at the end of the day and there may be prizes. Certainly, all participants would receive a certificate of participation when they complete the course.

If you’re interested in attending the course, these are the requirements and conditions:

For owners of Mazda vehicles (except Mazda BT-50 and MPVs models).
All participants have to use their own vehicle.
Participants must be 18 years old and above, and have a valid driving license.
There is a commitment/registration fee of RM100 per vehicle.
Each vehicle is limited to 1 participant only. First come, first served basis.
Each entry is valid for 1 day only. Participants can choose one of these dates: August 27 or August 28, 2022.
The course will be held at MAEPS in Serdang which is outside Kuala Lumpur (on the way to Putrajaya). It will be held from 8:30 am to 5 pm on both days.

Registration can be done online by clicking on this link.

UPDATE ON AUGUST 13 2022: All places for the two sessions have been taken. Look out for future courses.